Up to 40% of Land Degraded in Central Asia

Soil degradation has become a critical issue for the countries of Central Asia. The loss of soil fertility—driven by unsustainable agricultural practices and the effects of climate change—is significantly affecting the region's agricultural sector and food security.

According to expert estimates, between 20% and 40% of arable land in Central Asia is experiencing various degrees of degradation. This leads not only to declining yields, but also to growing social instability: rural unemployment rises, food prices increase, and the risk of food shortages escalates.

Experts from the World Bank point out that degraded soils are also sources of greenhouse gas emissions, which in turn exacerbate global climate change. Thus, there is a direct and reciprocal link between soil degradation and the climate crisis.

Key risk factors accelerating degradation include:
• Uncontrolled expansion of agricultural production without sustainable practices
• Overgrazing and deforestation
• Farming technologies that disrupt nutrient balance in the soil
• Inefficient irrigation methods leading to soil salinization

At the same time, climate change accelerates desertification and intensifies both water and wind erosion. As a result, the economic damage caused by land degradation is estimated to be as high as 4% of the total GDP of the region.

The RESILAND Program
In response to these growing threats, the World Bank is implementing a major regional landscape restoration program called RESILAND CA+, covering Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The total investment exceeds $240 million.

The program focuses on restoring degraded land, introducing sustainable farming practices, expanding forest plantations, and creating alternative sources of income for rural communities.

In Kyrgyzstan, a project aimed at combating landslides and restoring soil is already underway. In Uzbekistan, activities are ongoing in six regions, focusing on restoring forest ecosystems and developing ecotourism. In Tajikistan, the focus is on agroforestry and preserving sloping lands, with about 95% of the territory vulnerable to erosion.

Kazakhstan: A Priority on Sustainability
Kazakhstan is actively participating in the RESILAND program while also advancing its national initiatives. The country aims to increase the area of specially protected natural territories to 35 million hectares by 2030. Additionally, the national campaign includes planting two billion trees.

The overarching goal is to reduce the environmental burden on land and transition to agricultural production that is sustainable both economically and ecologically.

🔑 Key Takeaways:
🔹 Up to 40% of arable land in Central Asia has already lost its fertility, affecting yields, food prices, and rural employment.
🔹 Degraded soils are not only unproductive, but also emit greenhouse gases, worsening the climate crisis.
🔹 The World Bank is investing more than $240 million in the RESILAND program to restore landscapes, forests, and ensure sustainable agriculture in the region.